At Christian Concern, we recently sent our supporters a letter highlighting the arrests of Christian street preachers.
Just this week, a similar incident took place again.
Arrested
On Wednesday (4 September) evangelist Rob Hughes was preaching on a high street in Basildon when he was arrested by police for a statement he didn't even make.
A bystander made a false accusation against him to the police and they arrested him on the basis of this false accusation.
He was taken to Basildon police station and held there for seven and a half hours before being released at around 11.30pm last night.
We were in contact with him as the arrest was taking place and were able to send a solicitor to help him in the police interview process.
Grateful
Mr Hughes said: "I am so grateful that the Christian Legal Centre was able to react quickly and effectively in my situation."
After his experience, he commented that it seems Christian street preachers face a situation where they are "presumed guilty until found to be innocent."
Andrea Williams said: “This is happening alarmingly often now. Rob's experience shows why it's so important that we at the Christian Legal Centre keep giving legal support to Christians like him who simply want to share the good news of Jesus.
Christian Concern is also handling another case of a street preacher who was arrested in London earlier this week.